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The invitation delivered last night was remarkably simple, especially given the importance of the occasion: "Start where it all began. Meet us at the Pig’s Paunch one hour before dawn.”
The Pig’s Paunch is a run-down building with a faded sign of a large pig standing on its hind legs, arms folded above a corpulent belly. Inside, the air is thick with the scents of human sweat, stale tobacco, and leftover food. In the center of the room, surrounded by inebriates sleeping off their revelries, a familiar (Kreighton Shaine, the Pathfinder Master of Scrolls) elven man stands high upon top of a large round table.
“Welcome! Welcome, my students! Please, have a seat!” With that, Kreighton Shaine, the Pathfinder Society’s Master of Scrolls, nimbly drops down to sit cross-legged on the table before looking about the tavern with a sense of reverent wonder. “Can you believe it? It all started here years ago—well, over four hundred of them at least. Under this very roof the Pathfinder Society was born.
But today! Today you will begin your Confirmation! Master Farabellus, Master Zey, and I all agree you each have shown your worth and dedication to the Society, so there’s no better time to see if you can handle becoming full field operatives. Allow me to introduce you to Janira Gavix." he says as he motions for an excitable halfling woman to approach.
She wears a large backpack and carries all manner of tools, pouches, and scroll cases around her waist. Shaine continues, saying, “Janira here will be going with you on your Confirmation. She was one of my brightest pupils and will no doubt be an invaluable resource on your journey, for she discovered the caves you are about to explore during her own Confirmation.”
Janira speaks up in an enthusiastic and cheerful voice, “Greetings, aspiring Pathfinders! Six months ago, while I was mapping cave entrances in the foothills of the Kortos Mounts, I witnessed a lone gillman entering a concealed cave. I thought little of it at the time, but I saw another one enter the cave again a month later as my Confirmation stretched on. A few days later, after I completed my assigned task, I entered the cave system, but was unable to find the gillmen.”
Master Shaine hops to his feet. “Initiates, for your Confirmation, you will travel to these caves to explore and document its many passages. Additionally, and most importantly, you are to learn what the gillmen are up to in there. Oh, and you need to come back alive as well.” With these parting words, the Master of Scrolls jumps off the table and strolls out of the building while humming to himself.
At the center of the Isle of Kortos stand the Kortos Mounts, the points on the island
Entire tribes of centaurs, harpies, and minotaurs constantly vie for territory up and around the Mounts, with harpies being the most common at higher altitudes and centaurs controlling the lower slopes and foothills.
Also known as the Low Azlanti, the gillmen are an amphibious humanoid race believed to be the last descendants of the ancient Azlanti people.
During Earthfall, the Starstone struck Golarion and destroyed the human empires of Thassilon and Azlant. It is said that gillmen’s ancestors survived the cataclysmic event because they received the blessing of an aquatic entity that allowed them to breath underwater.
Most scholars believe the terrifying aboleths were responsible for the gillmen’s transformation. Any alliance between them appears to have fallen apart over the millennia, however, and the gillmen are now an independent people.
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"Hmmm I know a thing or two about these gillmen. Apparently they are also known as the Low Azlanti, the gillmen are an amphibious humanoid race believed to be the last descendants of the ancient Azlanti people. During Earthfall, the Starstone struck Golarion and destroyed the human empires of Thassilon and Azlant. It is said that gillmen’s ancestors survived the cataclysmic event because they received the blessing of an aquatic entity that allowed them to breath underwater.
Ah where are my manners. My name is Delphine, I am a manipulator of spirits I could say. My expertise lies in using these spirits to give our foes a bad day, hehe." Delphine snickers.
She is a pretty human with quite noble looking green colored clothes over a Haramaki. A green headband with a large jade gem holds back her hair which, even though she only looks 20 years old, is pale white. On her shoulder is a scorpion that chitters as it observes the room and everyone in it.
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"Please don't be taken back by my appearance. While my kind may carry a stigma of being evil and possibly feared, I am a simple adventurer like yourselves. beginning a, hopefully, long and exciting career under the guidance of the Society, experiencing things that would not be possible with an ordinary home life. I bring chemistry, magic, and intellect to the table to aid in our journey. My name is Akvius Sirthos, and I am excited to see what this assignment brings!"
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A well-dressed, and well-groomed dwarf sits nearby, smiling ingratiatingly at everyone as they introduce themselves, though it appears a little strained at times and disappears the moment they are no longer looking his way.
As soon as Kreighton Shaine is done talking, he leaps up to introduce himself more formally, but the Master of Scrolls is up and out the door of the tavern so quickly, he fails to even get his attention.
He frowns for a moment, clearly annoyed, then turns back to Janira, the smile working its way back onto his face as he eyes her speculatively.
"Well, Master Shaine has clearly put us in capable hands!" He offers unctuously, moving up to the young halfling woman quickly and eagerly, as if she was the one he wanted to talk to all along.
"The name is Smarmy! And I can't imagine a more capable mentor..." He pauses for the briefest of moments, then adds "... or compatriots!" He glances around the room at the others still smiling, though his eyes appear more calculating then friendly.
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In walks a tengu, feathers the color of midnight, with a slight blue hue if the light catches him just right. Drapped across his body are various hides. Animals gave their life, in order to allow Ebon to protect himself better.
He stands, in the corner, and listens to the Captain explain their mission, as well as introduce the one in charge of the hopefuls. He thinks about the potential hazards along the way, My name is Ebonfeather Longclaw, a humble Druid from forests in Varisia. I have heard there are centaurs and harpies around the location of interest. What is the likelihood of encountering such a creature?
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Janira smiles at Smarmy. "I certainly hope so!"
At the question from Ebonfeather, the halfling pauses and thinks. "I've seen them from a distance, and certainly there are Centaur tribes in the hills. I'm glad you brought that up, as we will be going by foot to avoid..upsetting any centaurs in the area."
Janira pulls out a large leather-bound journal and opens it on the table. “Before we set out, we should all get to know each other and review our plan. After all, the most important factors that determine whether an expedition will be a success are cooperation and preparation! I’ll go first!”
She looks around at the group. "I joined the Pathfinders four years ago. I, like many young folk, wanted to see the sights, and taste all the various food the world has to offer. It's been a very busy few years! My family still lives in Absalom, my da works in Eastgate."
Looking at each of you, she asks. "How about you? Why do you want to join the Society?"
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"I came to the Society to be able to explore my powers and the world. Back at home they were only interested in marrying me to the most wealthy or powerful suitor."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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"The biggest draw for me to the Society is the their willingness to look beyond the physical, and value the proficiency of each individual's abilities. Ebon and Kerastes, I am especially glad to have you both with us. It makes my physical characteristics stand out less."
"beyond that, I am an alchemist. This trade requires many unique components, not always of the common variety. I have confidence that my journeys through the Society, will grant me opportunities to gather some of the more rare components for my experiments."
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Smarmy smiles, nodding at Janira as she introduces herself and encourages others to do the same.
"Yes. Yes. A great idea!" He exclaims a little too enthusiastically, as he turns towards the others. The smile fades slightly, replaced by a frown for a moment, before quickly returning.
"We all have our reasons for joining this fine organization! Mine, of course, are rather pedestrian in comparison to many others." He shrugs, slightly. "But one does grow weary of swinging a pick eventually." He pauses for a moment, then adds. "But a chance to be even a small insignificant cog in the magnificent machine that is the Pathfinders?" He lets the statement hang in the air unfinished.
"As for what I offer..." He continues after a moment. "Little enough, compared to you fine fellows, I'm afraid, but I shall endeavor not to be a burden, and assist where I can. Be it with my meager weapon skills, or limited knowledge of the world!"
He smiles once more. "I am here to learn from you all!"
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“On to the details of the mission at hand.”
Janira says with an eager grin,
“After reviewing my mission reports personally, Master Shaine believes it is no coincidence that each time they entered the caves it was during a full moon, so it is also no coincidence that you have been called here now, just a day before the moon is full again. We both believe that tomorrow night is our best chance to find out why these caves are important and what exactly the gillmen are doing in there."
She pauses for breath for a moment.
“The caves we’ll be travelling to lie under the base of the Kortos Mounts. We’ll need to spend every minute of daylight possible to reach the caves by foot, crossing over the Cairnlands, taking the paths to Diobel, and finally making our way through the wilderness. With any luck we won’t run into any of the local inhabitants. Once in the caves, we’ll need to work together to explore and determine whether any gillman are present or have been recently. Keep an eye out for any other clues that might hint at the caves’ significance, too.”
She looks around.
"Any questions?"
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" This is your confimration. I am here to act as a guide, and provide assistance, however the confirmation itself is your own. I was thinking of setting up camp outside the caves and trying some interesting recipies I've picked up..."
She looks over the group and notes the alchemists fire.
"Good thinking. There are some swarms of insects out there. I think they would happily eat the flesh off my bones if they could. Alchemists fire is great for dispersing them. A very good idea for a couple of you to carry some."
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"How about you? Why do you want to join the Society?"
"I am Utnapishtim ibn Atrahasis ibn Ahmad ibn Faldan ibn Rasid ibn Hamad of Shuruppak. I am honored to meet you all.
"I was born and raised in Varisia near Magnimar--though my parents were of Osirian and Qadiran origin. I was brought up on grand tales of travel, heroism, and derring-do.
"I've since learned that adventure and excitement comes at a cost. Too often, lives may be negatively impacted as 'collateral damage.' After some prolonged discussions with my Sarenite brethren in Absalom (I'm a Desnan, myself) I decided to work for good from within the Pathfinder Society."
"Good thinking. There are some swarms of insects out there. I think they would happily eat the flesh off my bones if they could. Alchemists fire is great for dispersing them. A very good idea for a couple of you to carry some."
Utnapishtim pipes up in an uncertain, doubtful voice, "I'm afraid my frail frame couldn't carry too much more. I'll rely on my burning hands (and possibly a hasty retreat) to deal with swarms." He fidgets, with obvious discomfort.
"Any questions?"
"In your absence, Janira, what are our priorities if things should take a turn for the worse?"
Utnapishtim scribbles into a journal.
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When asked about why he wants to become a pathfinder, he ponders for a moment then responds, I wish to travel around Golarion. Meet other Druids if all disciplines, some who may be able to teach me more in my own personal discipline.
As far as other questions before we depart, I can think if none, but will ask should some arise along our journey
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Janira smiles at Utnapishtim ibn Atrahasis ibn Ahmad ibn Faldan ibn Rasid ibn Hamad.
"In my absence your priorities are to Explore, Cooperate and Report! I will not be going into the caves with you. I'm but a guide and someone who may be able to provide some advice from time to time."
Looking around, she can see the group looks ready to go, and leads you all out and through the city.
The journey through the City at the Center of the World is swift and without incident. Janirva waves at another halfling with a dog cart piled high with boxes. "My dad!" she says proudly. During the long trek across the Cairnlands she points out a variety of unusual plants and animals. The plains are dotted with old ruined seige towers, but Janira steers clear of them.
At the end of the first day the group sets up a camp, tired and probably somewhat foot sore.
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At the end of the first day the group sets up a camp, tired and probably somewhat foot sore.
Utnapishtim regrets carrying so much. But what would he do without his books and parchment? (He's only carrying 15.5 lbs, but he's medium encumbered at anything over 23 lbs.)
"E... E... Ebonfeather?" He stammers, realizing that he's never actually slept outdoors before. "D... D... Does this seem like a safe place to rest?"
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"I'm sure I'll have no problem sleeping tonight, even if it is without the comfort of a bed."
Utnapishtim tries not to jump at every little sound. He's clearly unhappy about being away from the comforts of home. But, remembering his pledge to 'work for good' he shuts his mouth, steels his emotions as best as he can, and tries to settle in for the night. (However, the occasional whimper erupts from him.)
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Smarmy trudges along with the others, tending to stay close to Janira whenever possible, doing his best to look properly impressed as she points out local flora and fauna of interest.
He does not seem overly put out by the long trek, although his shorter dwarven stride makes it a little hard for him to stay up in the front sometimes.
At Akvius' comment about horses, he gives the tiefling an odd look. "As I'm sure you recall," He says, though his tone seems to imply otherwise, "Our esteemed guide pointed out earlier that bringing horses into centaur territory would have had potentially dire consequences. Thus we must do without." He smiles ingratiatingly.
He readily and immediately offers to assist others with the making of camp, though the keen eye might notice that though he makes the offer openly, the actual assistance given is minimal.
He sets his own bedroll down near Janira's and makes a few notations in a small journal before bedding down.
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Janira shakes her head at Akvius and then smiles as Smarmy remembers the words she spoke earlier.
"We are travelling by foot so as to not offend any Centaurs we may come across. A mounted group would probably run into more trouble."
As the party progresses deeper into the forest, the trees towering overhead begin to shield most of the day’s sun and the vegetation beneath grows denser.
Janira pauses a moment and pulls out an intricate silver compass emblazoned with the Pathfinder Society logo: the Glyph of the Open Road. “I received this wayfinder when I successfully completed my Confirmation. Should we be successful on our journey, you will get your own as well.”
She flips open the device and holds it in front of her; the initials J. G. are engraved into the inside of the device’s lid. After studying the compass inside for a moment, she remarks, “We’re on the right path. We need to keep heading northwest past those large rocks up ahead.”
There is a sudden crash as a tree falls over, and rising from the nearby underbrush is a large swarm of mosquitos.
You can all act. You should see a map link above.
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Utnapishtim makes a reactive knowledge check:
Free Action: "That's a mosquito swarm." He tells the party in a remarkably even tone. It's as though the threat has calmed him down. "I believe that one or two more bombs from Akvius should do the trick, but I would prefer to separate the party to prevent multiple members from getting caught in the swarm."
Move Action: Utnapishtim moves 20 feet east, 5 feet diagonally southeast, and 5 feet south.
Standard Action: Readies an action to move again if the swarm comes towards him.
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And with a single bomb the threat literally dissipates.
Janira says “Well done! Those mosquito’s can just about suck you dry if they come on you unaware.”
She gives you all a moment to recover from the fright of sudden danger, and then adds
“But we must keep moving if we are to get to those caves before dusk.”
As you continue to travel through the wilderness, you find trails blocked by fallen objects, shortcuts overgrown, and other minor delays that cost you time.
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Ebonfeather, smiles as the swarm is easily overcome by a single attack, I doubt it will belike this the whole time, but at least I still have blood in my veins. Nice work Akvius
Ebonfeather looks around. She takes a deep breath, to let the smells around her soothe his soul and make him feel "somewhat" at home.
He climbs over or goes around the various debris. He stubs his toe on a fallen log, Ow, be careful everyone, the logs are wider than what I expected, he says as he rubs his big toe a moment.
He looks towards the sun, peeking through the clouds above, then looks toward the horizon. He points in the direction of the Kortos Mountains, or at least he thinks he is, I think the mountains we need are that way, but I am not for certain. The lay of the land is still unfamiliar to me, I am sorry
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Smarmy is obviously completely out of place in the wilderness, a dwarf better suited to civilization and underground caverns.
He does his best to appear nonplussed by it all, but after the third time tripping over what he swears was the exact same exposed root, serious cracks are starting to show in his veneer.
"Although I'm appreciating the company, fresh air and natural milieu, we wouldn't happen to be closing in on this cave yet, perchance?"
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In general, the DC of such a check equals 10 + the monster's CR. For common monsters, such as goblins, the DC of this check equals 5 + the monster's CR. For particularly rare monsters, such as the tarrasque, the DC of this check equals 15 + the monster's CR, or more.
Nature (animals, fey, monstrous humanoids, plants, seasons and cycles, weather, vermin)
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Remarkably is the the scholarly Utnapishtim who manages to pick the best way through the forest.
Eventually the dense forest opens to a wide clearing at the base of a sheer cliff. Thick vines cover the surface of the cliff stretching 30 feet overhead. “Here! The cave entrance is behind those vines,”
Janira says with a broad smile as she walks to the cliff’s face. She pulls back several layers of vegetation to reveal a narrow crack in the cliff’s surface. “This is where I saw the gillmen enter.”
As she motions toward the aperture, the surrounding woods come alive with the sound of small animals fleeing some unseen danger and a large creature crashing through the undergrowth.
The halfling worriedly remarks, “Quick, take cover before whatever it is spots us!”
As if she’d summoned the creature with her words, a massive horned monstrosity emerges from the trees. Standing eight feet tall on a pair of cloven hooves and wielding a tremendous axe, the bull-headed creature roars with unbridled anger when it spots the group. Wisely assessing that a minotaur is beyond her charges’ capabilities, Janira screams, “A minotaur! There’s little chance we can stand against it. Take this bag,” she continues, pulling off her backpack, “and head deeper into the caves. Finish your mission. I’ll lead it away from the caves, lose it in the forest, and join you as soon as I can. Now go! GO!”
She heaves her backpack into the cave, casts a spell, and darts off toward the minotaur before turning to lure it away.
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“A minotaur! There’s little chance we can stand against it. Take this bag,” she continues, pulling off her backpack, “and head deeper into the caves. Finish your mission. I’ll lead it away from the caves, lose it in the forest, and join you as soon as I can. Now go! GO!”
Free Action: Utnapishtim is torn. "Janira!" He exclaims.
"I've since learned that adventure and excitement comes at a cost. Too often, lives may be negatively impacted as 'collateral damage.' After some prolonged discussions with my Sarenite brethren in Absalom (I'm a Desnan, myself) I decided to work for good from within the Pathfinder Society."
A sense of even calm falls upon him again. This time he realizes that it's not a threat or danger that brings him to a state of emotional calm, but a sense of duty and a need to protect.
Free Action: "I don't want to leave you behind!"
Apparently, in the heat of the moment, Utnapishtim cannot remember what he has studied about these beasts.
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"We cannot let her fight that monster on her own. My spirits can aid us in this fight."
-Posted with Wayfinder